Karnataka Governor, Thawar Chand Gehlot, on Thursday delivered an unusually brief opening address on the first day of the joint session of the state legislature, refusing to read out the government-drafted speech and walking out after speaking for just two lines. His action triggered sloganeering by Congress legislators inside the House.
“I welcome you to the joint session of the Karnataka Assembly. I am proud to be addressing the Karnataka Assembly one more time. My government is committed to doubling the economic, social and infrastructural development of Karnataka. Jai Hind, Jai Karnataka,” Gehlot said before abruptly ending his address.
The Governor’s move came amid ongoing tensions between Raj Bhavan and the ruling Congress government over the convening of the special session. On Wednesday, Gehlot had declined to address the joint sitting altogether, which had been called by the state government to discuss the Union government’s repeal of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Earlier this month, the Congress-led Karnataka government announced its decision to convene a special session of the legislature, stating that it would legally challenge the repeal of MGNREGA. State Congress president D.K. Shivakumar Patil had said the objective of the session was to create public awareness about the social and economic consequences of the move.
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Patil argued that the state government could not avoid convening a legislative session if the rights of Karnataka’s people were being “snatched.” The state has repeatedly criticised provisions of the VG-G RAM G Act, which replaced MGNREGA, alleging that it violates citizens’ right to work and livelihood guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. The government has also claimed that the new law would impose a significantly higher financial burden on the state compared to MGNREGA.
While this marks the first time Gehlot has refused to read a government-prepared address, the episode comes close on the heels of similar controversies involving Governors in other states. In recent days, Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi and Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar have also drawn criticism for their conduct during proceedings in their respective state Assemblies.
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